Conscious sedation: Pharmacology.
Minimum intervention

BASIC AND ADVANCED

The principle of minimum intervention is a fundamental concept in the practice of conscious sedation in dentistry.

It involves the use of the smallest possible dose of a single drug or the least number of drugs necessary to achieve the desired level of sedation and analgesia while minimising the risk of adverse effects.

The goal of minimum intervention is to provide safe and effective conscious sedation while minimising the risk of complications, such as oversedation, respiratory depression, or drug interactions.

This is especially important in vulnerable populations, such as children, elderly patients, and patients with medical conditions, who may be at higher risk of adverse events from sedation. In these populations, the use of sedatives should be carefully considered and the doses and number of drugs should be minimised to ensure safety.

Minimum intervention emphasises the importance of individualised sedation plans based on the patient's specific needs, medical history, and the type and complexity of the dental procedure. It also highlights the need for close monitoring during sedation to ensure that the desired level of sedation and analgesia is achieved while minimising the risk of adverse events.